Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Archie Bradley clenches his fist as he watches the final exit of the San Diego Padres during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks defeated the Padres 4-1. (AP Photo / Ross D. Franklin)
Archie Bradley will be the closer for the Arizona Diamondbacks for the 2020 season.
Manager Torey Lovullo made the announcement in a Zoom call with the media on Saturday shortly after the right-hander’s tweet hinting that the team’s closer could have been named.
“It means the obvious: It is a wonderful Archie moment where I was super excited about the news,” Lovullo said. “I knew he sent it very soon after my conversation with him.
“It means he’s going to get baseball in the back of our closed games.” Last year he had a small sample size, he’s been growing and learning as a pitcher every year, every outing, and I think he’s ready to get baseball at the end of our games. “
Bradley, who turns 28 in August, is entering his sixth year with the Diamondbacks.
It is no secret that the law has had its fair share of successes and bullpen fights during his career in Arizona.
Since moving to the bullpen in 2017, Bradley has had 39 career save opportunities, of which only 22 resulted in a D-backs victory.
However, despite the low percentage of savings in his career, his time as a closer in 2019 was one of the best stretches of his career.
After taking over Greg Holland on July 30 last season, Bradley managed to secure 18 saves in 21 opportunities (86%) while posting a 2.10 ERA over 25.2 IP (25 games).
In 2017, Bradley posted a 1.73 ERA to go along with 79 strikeouts and a save in 73 innings of work (63 games).
“Everyone thought after that 2017 season that it would be a difficult situation for us to bring him closer, but he has grown and learned a lot about himself through some good times and the difficult patches he has had, that I know he is prepared for. for this challenge, “said Lovullo.
“But I think it is internally, that he believes he is ready for this challenge. He knows that he has paid his debts. He’s seen three really good closers ahead come out and close baseball games and now I know he feels like this is his chance and his shot, and I don’t think he wants to give this up. ”
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